Tips for What to Prepare for High Speed Train Sleepers

Onboard the overnight high speed D trains, every carriage has one to two toilets of Chinese and Western type, washing sink, so you can wash your face and do some makeup for the travel or the business meeting. So, what to pack?

Water, towel, facial cleanser, toothbrush and cup, skin care items, makeups, comb, toilet paper, etc. are the most necessary things to prepare. If you are going to book the New Sleeper, a pair of sandals or slippers is highly recommended.

How to Choose Your Favorite Seats?

Still considering which seat to take on your bullet trains? Let’s together make things easier. Think by the following factors and figure out what you are care about most.

• ● Traveling Hours: How long will you spend on the train? If it is long and takes more than five hours, first and business seats with much space and better comfort feelings are proper.
• ● Distance: if you are traveling for long distance between two cities very far away and usually need over 10 hours, the sleepers on the overnight trains are absolutely your wiser choice. In such a way, you can have a good sleep on the train to save money spent on hotel at your destination, also, it keeps you away from getting too early in the following morning for catching the early flight for saving time or rushing for the meeting.
• ● Distance: if you are traveling for long distance between two cities very far away and usually need over 10 hours, the sleepers on the overnight trains are absolutely your wiser choice. In such a way, you can have a good sleep on the train to save money spent on hotel at your destination, also, it keeps you away from getting too early in the following morning for catching the early flight for saving time or rushing for the meeting.
• ● Quiet or Chat?: Do you like to talk with the fellow passengers? Or do you just need some quiet time on the train to view the beautiful scenery pass by. If you like to join the Chinese to have some conversation, choose the second class seats to get into the more easy-going environment; if you need more personal time and room, choose the seats beside window and first or business seat with less passengers in one carriage will be proper.
• ● Comfortable: Do you care the comfort as the most important factor? If so, choose business seats that are the widest and best for your most comfortable position.
• ● Sightseeing or Aisle?: Are you interested in the outside sightseeing? If yes, the window seats are no doubt to be chosen to appreciate every beautiful passing by during the train travel. Among all types of seats, there are two “sightseeing seats” in the Business Class Seats carriage on one high speed train, beside which the super large window offers the best position and experience for scenery. If you want to walk to the toilet or other places without excuse others, the aisle seats are better selection. Also, if you would like to have more legroom, the aisle seats would meet you better than others in the Second and First Class Seats carriage.
• ● Budget: What your budget? Train ticket fare in China varies according to the different classes. If you are on a budget travel, choose second class seats, which also have been receiving the good reputation of world travelers.
• ● Quick Getting On/ Off: Do you care about time waiting for getting off? If so, choose the seats near the aisle and the carriage door, so you can quickly collect your luggage and step on the platform once the door opens at your destination.
• ● Your Group Size: How many people are there in your group? If you are traveling alone, either seat is OK. If you take the bullet train with another one person, the two seats side by side is the perfect, so you can choose the seats “D and F”, or “A and B”, so you can seat together and enjoy your chat. And if you are traveling with other two people, or like you are in a family group of three members, the three seats together on one side of the carriage is a better choice, which are seats “A, B, and C”.

Comparison of Seats on China Normal Trains & High Speed Trains

How better the seats of China high speed trains are than those on the normal trains? What are their differences related to your experience onboard? Taking the railway section between Beijing and Guangzhou, let’s have a brief comparison of the seats and sleeping berths of the major two types of trains in China before you book your tickets.

Seats Comparison (Beijing - Guangzhou):

Factors	China High Speed Trains (G, D, C)	China Normal Trains (K, T, Z)
Price	About 860-2,750 RMB	About 250 RMB
Riding Hours	About 8-10.5 Hours	About 21.5-30 Hours
Seat Type	Wider seats separated by armrest	Bench type
Comfort	4.5 Star	3.5-4 Star
Adjustability	All can be adjusted	N/A
Tray Table	Separated for individual passenger	Usually a small one shared by 4-6 passengers
Carriage Environment	Cleaner, quieter, less crowded	More dirty, noisy, smelly
Smoking	Banned everywhere onboard	Only available at the connection of carriages now
Toilets	Facilities of both Chinese and Western styles	Only Chinese style with worse environment
Washing Basin	Better, more equipped, with mirror	Rougher, fewer
Sockets	Nearly available in every row, every carriage	Much fewer; N/A on some K trains
TV	Available in every carriage	Most trains have no TV

Sleeper Comparison (Beijing - Guangzhou):

Factors	China High Speed Trains (D)	China Normal Trains (K, T, Z)
Price	About 1,150 RMB	About 420-750 RMB
Riding Hours	About 10.5 hours	About 21.5-30 hours
Layers of Berths	2 berths on each side	3 berths on each side
Sleeper Size	Even much wider	Length: 180-190cm; Width: 50-70cm
Comfort	4.5 Star	3-3.5 Star
Carriage Environment	Clean, quiet, private, full equipped	Dirtier, noisier, more bothered, rough
Smoking	Banned everywhere onboard	Only available at the connection of carriages now
Toilets	Facilities of both Chinese and Western styles	Only Chinese style on most trains; Western toilets available for some Soft Sleepers.
Washing Basin	Better, more equipped, with mirror	Rougher, fewer
Drinking Water	Water dispenser in every carriage	Only one kettle in every Soft Sleeper compartment
Sockets	Nearly available at every sleeper, every carriage	Available in every Soft Sleeper carriage but fewer.
TV	Available in every compartment; N/A for the New Sleepers	Available on some Soft Sleeper trains
Compartment Door	Available in every compartment; N/A for the New Sleepers	In every Soft Sleeper carriage
Sleeper Curtain	Only for the New Sleepers	N/A
Berth Spacing	Much wider	Narrow
Included Meals & Snacks	Yes	N/A

Please Note: the above information of price, size, facilities, equipment, etc. of China high speed trains and normal trains is only for your reference, which is various according to the difference of types of trains and sizes, and railway sections between different destinations.

After comparing the size, equipment, facilities, environment and other aspects of seats and sleepers of high speed trains and the normal trains in China, you must have a clear impression of the great and better experience of high speed train seats. So, if you already have the clear idea of where to visit in China to take the cool bullet train, you can tell us to book the train ticket for you, therefore, you could get your tickets easily without those inconvenient procedures. If you just want to take the train but do not know which section to choose, please feel free to tell us your rough interests and ideal places, and our professional travel expert will give the good recommendation and help you tailor make your unbelievable high speed train tour in China!

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